Vintage (Adrenaline Series Book 2) (19 page)

“Not a good time, Vinnie.”

“Real quick,” he continues talking.

Sure. A police chase is a great fucking time for a Q&A session.

“Ben was supposed to pick up his winnings this morning, but he flaked-”

“Probably hung over in some chick's bed.” I hang a left and accelerate again not bothering to slow down to properly merge. “I'll remind him when I see him. Hang up the phone!”

The line goes dead and I hear another round of sirens, but don't see them. Knowing if I can just stay a few seconds ahead of them, I have a chance at getting out of this, I take another left at my next chance, then another at a light and making a sharp right into a parking garage.

As sirens increase like they're closing in, the guard looks down at me, and pushes the button.

Best part about technology. Instant shit like this. Vinnie probably sent him my picture.

Racing the car towards the level right underneath the roof top, I park it, and dash for the elevator, the building now sounding like it's fucking surrounded. In the elevator there's a black backpack waiting for me. As soon as I'm inside, I hit the emergency stop, swap my jeans for sweat pants, my black shirt for a shirt with an old school Nintendo controller on it, and toss on a pair of Buddy Holly hipster glasses. Ditching my hat, I stuff all the objects in the bag under a towel, shove the key to the Bugatti at the bottom too, before adding the final touch of a mouth piece of phony teeth, which will not only give my face a slightly different look but my speech as well.

I hit the elevator back on, pulling out a key to a Dodge van.

Of all the fucking cars Vinnie.

Exiting the elevator I notice two cops speaking to the guard demanding they be allowed onto the private property. With a happy go lucky spring in my step, trying to stay in character I strut over to the faded blue van and start her up. The radio starts playing a Nick Jonas song and I do my best not to cringe.

If I make it out of this alive I'm kicking Vinnie's ass for this.

On my way out of the gate the police officers stop my vehicle. The one who peers around inside isn't the one I ditched and thankfully doesn't look too concerned with me. “Where you headed?”

“Home,” my voice says in goofy demeanor. “I'm supposed to be meeting my friends online for World of Warcraft but I'm late.”

I would rather die than play that fucking game.

“Yeah? Where you coming from?”

I slump forward and grip the steering wheel harder. “I thought I was meeting a girl I met online, but she never showed up.”

“Bummer kid,” his partner says shaking his head.

“Yeah,” I sigh again. “Bummer. We both really liked Big Bang Theory.”

“Shocker,” the cop in front of me mumbles. “We'll let you get goin' in just a sec. Did you happen to see a sports car, red and black drive by here?”

Red and black sports car? That's a fuckin’ Bugatti Veyron you moron. There's only a chunk of those ever made in existence!

“Nope.” With a closed mouth smile I wait to be dismissed.

“Thanks. Drive safe. Might wanna call your friends—hands free of course-- and let them know you're gonna be late. Most of the roads are shut down in this area. We're trying to catch that car.”

“Will do officer,” I reply. “Good luck.”

He backs away from my van and I hear his partner say to the guard, “We're getting a warrant to search the place.” The guard says nothing to them, but picks up the phone I'm sure to alert Vinnie who will doctor the tapes so it stops working before I arrived.

He can doctor the fuck out of anything, but he can't doctor that car out of his fucking lot. Holy shit....I know I said it before, but I'm royally fucked.

After a treacherous time of getting through all the roads I manage to get closed down, I make my way back home, doing the speed limit, not because I'm afraid of getting pulled over, but because I know the living terror that is Madden will only be the beginning of a domino effect of horrors.

I may never see Jovi again, you do realize that? Not only did I not bring The Devil back his car, I left it for the cops to impound. At least there's a chance he won't hunt me for sport. And on the off chance he doesn't kill me, when I tell Madden that I made a deal with him like I did, he will. Make no mistake.

Feeling defeated, I open the front door. I brace myself knowing it's better to tell Madden I fucked up first instead of The Devil. As soon as the door shuts behind me, I notice Triple D on the couch while Knox and Madden are at the kitchen table.

Didn't I tell you nothing good ever comes from having this many McCoys in the same room at the same time when it's not a party?

Madden rises to his feet and the look on his face is as hard as ever.

Uncertain if he already knows or if he's seen the news, I question, “What?”

“Ben's-”

“In fucking jail again isn't he?” I drop the backpack that's on my shoulder pulling out the fake teeth. Ripping off the glasses and tossing them both on the counter I shake my head. “I knew he was gonna fuck up last night and do something stupid. So...what was it? How'd he end up there this time?”

At that moment Madden shakes his head slowly. “He's not in jail Merrick. He's dead.”

My jaw slightly cracks open and suddenly it becomes harder to breathe than it's ever been.

This is usually the point where someone says 'well at least shit can't get any worse'...but for some reason, something deep inside of me knows that isn't fucking true. That isn't fucking true at all. Everything is about to get worse. So much worse.

Thank Yous

Crazy Lady- When you call and cuss me out, make sure you don't call a random stranger again lol

Her Husband- Not too bad for your youngest daughter huh?

The Law Student- Maybe you'll be sporting a pair of these earrings next?

The Lumberjack- I will always be better at spot the hot car games. #Fact

Sissy B- Family sticks together like glue...besides who else is gonna pretend to have a top secret friendship to drive my mother crazy? Lol

The Doc- For you and your kiddos who say the funniest things. Thank you.

Real Life Erin- I may kidnap you for Vegas soon.

My PAs- Left and Right brain. Please stop plotting my demise....lol I give you presents so you DON'T. (hahah jk)

The Editor- So....um...you can't quit. Got it. K. Good.  Lol

Marketing Guru- #BigThingsAreComing

The EP Army- It's good you ladies have my back. I need you. Especially you Genie.

When I Grow Up Team- Jamie Reese, Tess Oliver, Harper Sloan, and Kristine Cayne, the facts, the advice, the love....all of it, makes swimming in these waters easier. Thank you.

Dream Team- You ladies are so crazy. And just the best kind of crazy. Please stay amazing. Never forget we've got a safe home together. Keep putting that spanking on social media for me!

Special Dream Team Shout Out To: Tara M. You lady are definitely the type of Vintage any person is more than blessed to have around.

Kerry S.- My Twitter pal, thank you for finding me. Muah!

Readers- Thank you for reading. You are the most amazing people. I wake up every morning so grateful you read what I need heard. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Until next time.....

Other books by Xavier Neal

Senses Series:

Vital (Prequel) Found in Interwoven

Blind (Book 1)

Deaf (Book 2

Numb (Book 3)

Hush (Book 4)

Savor (Book 5)

Callous (Book 6)

Agonize (Book 7)

Suffocate (Book 8)

Mollify (Book 9)

Senses Series Box Set (Books 1-5)

Havoc Series

Havoc (Book 1)

Chaos (Book 2)

Insantity (Book 3)

Collapse (Book 4)

Devastate (Book 5)

Havoc Series Box Set (Books 1-3)

Never Say Neverland

Get Lost

Lost in Lies

Lies Mistrust and Fairy Dust (Coming Soon)

Adrenaline Series

Classic

Vintage

Masterpiece (Coming Soon)

Connect with Xavier Neal

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